Childcare Workers vs Data Scientists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $80,540 more per year than Childcare Workers professionals — that's 251.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Childcare Workers earns $44,560 compared to $194,410 for Data Scientists.
Salary Range Comparison
Childcare Workers$22,900 – $44,560
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
$22,900$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Childcare Workers | Data Scientists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,900 | $63,650 | $-40,750 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $82,630 | $-54,630 |
| Median (50th) | $32,050 | $112,590 | $-80,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,960 | $155,810 | $-118,850 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,560 | $194,410 | $-149,850 |
| Mean (Average) | $33,140 | $124,590 | $-91,450 |
Employment Numbers
Childcare Workers
520,180
employed nationwide
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Childcare Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $44,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,640 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $40,180 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $39,290 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $38,720 |
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Childcare Workers or Data Scientists?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $80,540 (251.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Childcare Workers?
Childcare Workers salaries range from $22,900 (10th percentile) to $44,560 (90th percentile), with a median of $32,050.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
How many Childcare Workers and Data Scientists jobs are there?
There are approximately 520,180 Childcare Workers positions and 233,440 Data Scientists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Data Scientists to Childcare Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Childcare Workers has a median salary of $32,050 while Data Scientists earns $112,590. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS